3 reasons why the LA Clippers would beat the Los Angeles Lakers in a series

The Clippers have more depth

Let’s just look at the roster as a whole. Look past the stars (LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and Paul George). Look at the guys who will be getting minutes while one or both is off the floor for each team. When you get to the third, fourth, fifth players on the team, the Clippers have a clear advantage.

With playoff rotations being shorter, having a group of role players that can contribute becomes important. Looking past the top two players on each squad, the Clippers have Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Patrick Beverley, Ivica Zubac, Marcus Morris, JaMychal Green, and Reggie Jackson. There’s also Landry Shamet, who may be out of the rotation. Think about that. He had a key role in the team’s playoff series last season and now might not even get regular minutes in the postseason.

If we look at the Lakers, their depth after James and Davis includes Kyle Kuzma, Danny Green, Avery Bradley, JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, Markieff Morris, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. While Kuzma and Green are useful rotational pieces, many of the other Lakers’ players just don’t have it all. Sure, Bradley had a good game against the Clippers and Howard/McGee are serviceable but just don’t bring that same pop.

The Lakers will have to hope they get additional scoring from their role players while the Clippers will expect it as it has been the norm for them this season. We know the stars will come out and play to the best of their ability and the Clippers superior depth may be the difference-maker.